The Majority caucus in parliament has down played the Minority attempt to stop the implementation of the Electronic Transaction known as E-levy.

According to the Majority Leader, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu the purported injunction application by some Minority MPs against the implementation of the co E-Levy is an exercise in futility.

In his considered view, the move is dead on arrival since the presidential assent to the Bill effectively means the Bill has been implemented and cannot be arrested by any arm of government.

The Majority Leader was reacting to the NDC MPs suit that sought to restraint the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from proceeding with the May 1 implementation of the E-Levy since it will cause irreparable harm to millions of citizens of Ghana.

Majority leader flanked by Majority Chief Whip, Hon Annor-Dompreh and other MP

The three MPs including Minority Leader, Haruna Idrissu, Mahama Ayariga and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in the suit at the Supreme Court are challenging the controversial circumstances under which the E-Levy bill was approved by the House.

They among others argue Parliament did not have the required number of at least half of its members present when the bill was tabled before the House for consideration and approval.

But Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu told Journalist at a press conference in Parliament on Friday, April 22, 2022, the Minority did not exhaust the processes and procedures in the House and rather sought redress in court.

“They say they want to stop the implementation but the bill is already enacted. I don’t know what they mean by that. Upon the assent of the President, the bill if Parliament has not postponed the operation of the bill, immediately after the assent it comes to operation… It appears you and I would know that it is going to be an exercise in futility.”

“Going to court when the matter has not been dealt with in Parliament is a dangerous precedent that we are setting in this country and let nobody convince himself that the NPP is going to be in power forever. The path that you are cutting now will be there to haunt you tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” he added.

The three Minority MPs


The Majority also explained that the Minority attempt to file a motion against the Speaker’s referral of three MPs to the Privilege Committee for absenting 15 days in Parliament is premature and that the motion is needless since no decision has been taken.

He called for patience as the privilege committee goes into the matter for the affected MPs to clear themselves of possible removal or otherwise as MPs for breaching the Standing Orders and the constitution.

Source: expressnewsghana.com

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